A gentle route in the vale, but with a wet forecast, there were just six hardy riders at the start. The outward leg to Shrivenham was steady into the headwind coming from the west. It was dry until Charney Bassett, but we were all a bit soggy by the time we got to the farm shop, which did us proud as ever.
The rain eased on the return leg and with the wind behind us it felt good. However, the roads were slippery and crosswinds treacherous. One of our number crashed on a bend. The peloton lept into action, ensuring traffic in both directions stopped, while others assisted the rider as they slowly checked themselves out and then moved off the road. Bruised and tender, we hope they make a swift and full recovery.
We took it very cautiously on the final few kilometres back to Wantage.